Flooded

The Great Plains/Midwest flooded these last two days. Supposedly.

I am quite sure our little town of 974 sure did. 

Because of the thunder/rain storm, we spent the last two days inside, seeking refuge from the intense storm that wailed outside around us.

Of course, that means a LOT of pent up toddler energy. Even after you walk to the store in the rain (because of course the rain stopped for like 10 minutes so you think it is safe to go out.) only to turn around because I forgot my wallet. Granted it is only about .6 miles form my house, but.....we were soaked by the time we got home. And seeing as a highway is the main road in our town, I had a lot of pathetic stares coming my way. 

So what is left?  Puddle jumping. Of course.

Or puddle swimming. 

Yeah, definitely puddle swimming.

ps....I promise the entire town does not look as ghetto as these pictures make it seem. We just happen to live right across the street from a mobile home park and rail road track, and ya.....

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Oh hey, Friday!

In case you haven't noticed, I am getting back into this whole blogging thing.
I want to write. So I need a name. I need to get out there and contribute. And this is my first step.

So, I am joining in a link up.


Five things. Five things about anything.

1. We are moving in (hopefully) a week. Maybe I will talk more about this once it has all happened, but right now, it still seem's surreal. We are at that point where about living in our apartment for 5 months, we were in a routine. Things were put where they belonged. And now it's like a sword fight went on through our small apartment. Somehow. One day, our place was clean. Then you start THINKING about packing, and the next thing you know, the place is as good as gone.


2. I was going to make beans for dinner. I had them all sorted and rinsed, and was waiting for the water to boil when Seamus woke up from his nap. I went to check on him, and when I came back, Sariah had decided to help. By pouring the entire bowl in the sink.
I didn't really care about not having beans for dinner, but we don't have a garbage disposal. So i had to pick all those beans out so they wouldn't clog the drain. Talk about tedious.

3. My kid's birthday's are next week. My little dude turns ONE. And Sariah? In a week, she will be THREE. Luckily for us, they are too young to care about birthday parties. Because moving + birthdays don't go well together.


4. I call Seamus little dude. Or dude. Sariah is little girl. Seamus responds equally to Seamus, Shea (or Shay, or Sea, we have not decided on spelling yet), and dude.


5. Today I had a "time out". Really, Sariah was in time out, Seamus was asleep- and I ate the last piece of cheesecake. It was good. It was also from a box. No bake. Joe doesn't care for cheesecake (so he says), so I bought this one day thinking I would make it one time when he was away on a trip when I needed a quick pick-me-up. Finally made it. He decided he likes "this cheesecake".  Let me tell you, this has happened too many times before. He doesn't like pistachios till I get a big bag for free. Then they are his best friend.
My only regret was that there was not another last piece for after lunch.

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Sariah Logic

Sariah is what I describe as very "hard to impress". You need to earn her smile/like/trust. I blame her father for this. 

But sometimes she just shines and is SO social. And she likes to say hi/bye to everyone and thing she see's. It's sad when people don't respond back, but cute when they do!

The other day Sariah was walking around the house saying bye to everything she could name.

"Bye dada...bye mama...bye Shea...bye Scout...bye Bike..."

Last night she got a new Barbie, and fell asleep with it in our bed. She was moved to her own bed during the night with said Barbie, minus one Barbie shoe. This mornig she woke up inconsolable. That Barbie shoe was gone! And she wouldn't stop crying till she found it. 

A few weeks ago at one of Séamus dr appt I really needed to use the bathroom. They have 2- and i have always used one over the other just on chance. Today I went into the other one, and after lugging both kids in and locking the door, I turned around to realize this bathroom had a kid size toilet . There was no time to lug both kids into the other bathroom and make it safely- so I just went with it. Sariah did not approve. It was clearly me at for her and started cryibg when I sat on the toilet screaming "my toilet!". Ridiculous much?

Another morning we had pancakes for

Breakfast. Sariah got to the table first, piled on some pancakes in to her plate and drowned those suckers in syrup. When we found her Joe remarked "that's a lot of syrup for those pancakes." Sariah agreed. She nodded her head, graves another pancake and then reached for the syrup and said "more?".

And I just absolutely love what toddlers view as valuable. Or what Sariah chooses to carry around with her/take with her. Like a play fork in a purse to walmart. It's classic.

And that's Sariah for you.

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Life with this little man...

Is slowly, I mean slowly, starting to seem normal.

I heard once the best thing you can do for your child is to give them a sibling. I am not sold on that yet. I was pretty sure there a few days Sariah wanted nothing to do with her little brother and that things were about to blow up in our faces.

But amazingly, Sariah has grown fond of the baby. (Yes- he is still "baby" to her,  not Séamus). And what has surprised me the most- is how much more love I have for that little girl. 

Her wanting to hold the baby, give him kisses, or talking about what he is doing melts my heart.

This little guy- he fits well with our family. He eats well. He sleeps well. He is strong and tough and I think we are gonna get along rather well. Plus, Scout us rather intrigued by the little dude as well.

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Because you were wondering...

I am still pregnant.

40 weeks and 1 day.

I seriously did not think that this was gonna happen this time.

I truly expected this baby to come early. To be here before family came. Before Joe started school. Before Sariahs birthday.

But alas...I feel doomed to be a women who always gets induced. Next time, I am just not telling people my due date. They can be surprised, just as I hope to be.

Yesterday Joe and I went for a 5 mile + bike ride. That's what I I at 40 weeks pregnant. 

Was it uncomfortable?

Nope.

I wanted to go fast. Make it count.

I also spent 2 hours walking around a museum chasing Sariah.

Today I am attempting to walk miles in the 90 degree heat and humidity. 

Really, with as active as I demand myself to be- this baby should be here by now.

At least I have already had some contractions this time.

And it's always more time to enjoy with my sweet baby girl.

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Sariah

Have I mentioned that "the terrible twos" need to really be called "pre-teen moments"? 

Ya. Cause seriously, Sariah can be as emotional as a hormonal 13 year old.

But I promise it oddly enough makes me love her more- especially when I can just laugh at her tantrums because they are just so ridiculous.

Anyways- I normally don't do blog posts about Sariah- but I thought I would share some today.

Like this morning, how she insisted she eat her pancakes with a knife. But half the time they would fall off her knife and she would then scream as Scout ate the pancakes off the floor.

Or how Sariahs bedtime ranges from 8-10, normally leaning more 9:30-10. Surprised? Shocked? The other night Sariah went to sleep at 9:00. She woke up at 3:00 am. Wide awake. I will stick with 9:30-10:00.

People keep telling me that Sariah can sense the change coming- I am not sure if I believe it. But she is EXTREMELY clingy to me. Only I can put her to sleep. She hates nursery all the sudden. And the progress we had made at work has vanished. 

She LOVES babies- you know, trying to feed newborns apples and chocolate milk and give them a pacifier and all, but I am not sure how she is going to take this new addition...

And she loves Scout. That dog is her buddy. Except when that dog takes her food without her approval. But she has already done the "lets share an ice cream cone scout!" I don't approve.

And that is Sariah for you today.

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Summer so far

So I promise I have intentionally been taking pictures with the clear purpose of posting them on here to show everyone. 

But of course I then don't blog for like two weeks. 

So, let me recap summer so far:

1st: if you are going to live in the Midwest, DON'T get a dog. The amount of ticks is disgusting (and apparently out here there is a certain type that especially LOVES dogs). Even with a top of the line tick repellent and various home remedies, out dogs come out covered. 

And as Joe so lovingly points out- as pretty as the scenery is, you don't want to go 10 feet near it due to all those ticks. 

Also- I swear Penny has experienced more thunderstorms in the last month then her whole 13 years of life. I LOVE those thunderstorms- but having to deal with a panicked dog every other night at 3 am? Ugh.

2nd- Nebraska is an odd place. We really like Lincoln. There is SO much to do for every kind of person (well, unless you moved from the #1 state with the most national forest land and want to go up in the mountains and get away). But anyways. They always have events going on. So if your into fishing, biking, pets, music, beer, food, gardening, family people, or whatever- there is something to do. 

But the weather is not cool. In any way. 

And some other major defaults follow Nebraska....BUT they do have a surprising good amount of fruit, and things to do.

#3- This pregnancy is so odd. I would still classify it as an "easy" pregnancy, but harder than Sariah by far. Maybe it's the added combination of work + a toddler? This baby is still a lot more (up to like yesterday)- and I have enjoyed it (up till yesterday).

#4- Having a job is getting better. Well, it has at least allowed Sariah to develop a lot. I now can see first hand how she will handle having a sibling- and I am pretty sure she is going to be over helping me a lot. She LOVES the babies at work and is constantly wanting/trying to read to them, cover them with a blanket, give them a pacifier to feed them. 

Although today she had her first experience with hair pulling- it was not to her liking.

So, anyways. That is pretty much our life. We are trying to stay active by doing lots of summer things- farmers market, parks, pools, etc. 

Gotta make the best out of this place :)

The flies here are huge and gross. So are the ants. Bugs are just gross out here.

See? So pretty! But I promise if you stop and stood right next to the grass, you would have ticks on you in a minute.

We love out farmer daddy and checking on his fields with him :)

Sariahs favorite foods: watermelon, apples (pictures above), broccoli, noodles, and chocolate milk.

We went and picked strawberries from a farm near by and Sariah LOVED it! She was so good at helping (even though she wasn't aware that your only supposed to pick ripe ones).

Picking fruit brings an odd sense of accomplishment. I loved when we were in Idaho and during the summer we would spend a few hours every week picking raspberries. 

This is at a spray park- it took us two trips to finally start enjoying it. Sariah would much rather explore.

Local baseball game for the SaltDogs! 

Playing duck-duck-goose at work. Sariah didn't quite understand and decided to just be the center of attention :)

These kids got it right- enjoying their juice boxes in the shade on a hot day.

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Baby & Nap Time

I hate taking naps. 

I would much rather just push through with the day, drink some water/soda, or have a headache- than take a nap. 

I hate waking up and feeling like I wasted time. I hate waking up grumpy. Which, I normally do. 

Unfortunately, Sariah has taken after me in that manner. 

Normally, her ideal (or mine) lasts about 2 hours. 

But she normally will wake up an hour through and cry, and wont go back to sleep, unless I lay down with her. Then she will sleep for about 1- 11/2 hours. THEN she wakes up happy. 

 Yesterday we were in a bit of a rush, and when she woke up after an hour nap- we needed to get going. 

It saddened me, because it took her forever to be happy. But, I can't keep catering to her with a new baby coming- right? She needs to learn to sleep on her own. 

So, How do I solve my nap time problem? She wakes up in the morning happy, but nap time is normally an issue. 

Oh, the wo's of parenthood.

On the other hand, this pregnancy is so different than when I was pregnant with Sariah. 

-I have much less energy (I would hike, walk daily, garden like a beast, and go to school with Sariah).

-I actually kinda have 'cravings' (I am still reluctant to admit this)

-I am sick all the time.

-I am so picky

-Moddy. Emotional. Hormonal. Yep.

-My back hurts more (it did with Sariah- but this is worst)

-I am already ready for this baby to be out....I was always so content with Sariah in me.

Just different. In so many ways. 

Probably the biggest, is that I am in NO way ready for this baby to come out emotional- physically, yes.  Totally vice versa with Sariah.

I have no clue how to prepare with Baby 'Husker'. 

Working, and Joe being gone a lot, and having a toddler makes it hard. 

But yes, I just don't know how to prepare. 

Probably getting a baby space would help- but, any other suggestions???

And that is all. 

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The Noodle Nazi

On Friday Joe, Sariah and I went out to dinner.

At our Chinese spot, to be exact. (You know, the one I mentioned we were ecstatic to find a few months back).

Anyways.

We sat down and looked over the menu to decide what to get. They have a LOT of options and we have only been there about 4 times, and we always like to try something new.

But anyways- we order pretty much the same but twist it up.

Tofu & vegetables (because its SO GOOD and we like to be healthy)

Crab ragoon & egg roll

A new dish (chicken curry this time- yummmmmm)

And a side of noodles.

We quickly discovered at our first visit that the side of noodles was essential to a happy meal with Sariah.

Sariah loves pasta- and hasn't developed a taste for tofu yet (and was rather picky that first night about eating anything) so we harp order her noodles- and we have kept it up ever since, because hey- who doesn't love some noodles for dinner?

This night though, was different.

First they brought us our egg roll and ragoon. Sariah, after eating her share, Precedes to lick the sweet & sour sauce that is left off her plate doggy style (I thank her father for showing her just that morning how to drink milk out of the bowl).

They brought us our food. 

Placed in on the table.

But the mistake of placing the ENTIRE plate of noodles in front of Sariah was made.

She would not allow us to move it, or to take ANY noodles from that plate.

So, while Joe and I ate our curry & tofu, Sariah dived into an entire plate full of noodles. Throwing a huge fuss if we even tried to take one.

And thus was born, the noodle nazi.

(Told you she was my daughter)

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YMCA

What's new with us?

Oh, I just got a job at the YMCA (yes, sing along time).

Now I get to feel all fit & healthy in my staff t-shirt.
Except I work in the child watch, and have nothing to do with exercise

But that's okay, because I have a job where I can take Sariah. It's pretty win.


And, last night I was reading to Sariah before bed time on our couch. I told her to get get another book. So she went into her room. Ten minutes later I walk in and find her fast asleep in her bed.
Joe described it as the best day ever.
Pretty accurate.

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This is how we do it

Just a few things.

Sariah doesn't mess around when it comes to getting dirty.

But she is all for having a puppy in the tub.

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Life as a dog

Must be pretty sweet.

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Sariahs rubbing off on us...

No, not the "hey, we finally like her" kinda way. We have always loved her.
I mean it's kinda hard NOT to love a toddler who instantly dances to Dolley Parton when she heads her, or who can spot a dog a mile away (seriously, this girl has dogar).

No. More like we ourselves are starting to become toddlers.
We say nonsense to each other.

Today, Joe even said, "Did you see that dogdog?" To ME. (That's what sariah calls dogs).

On Monday we attempted to go to the movies.
It was a success. Before we walked out halfway through the movie because we can no longer sit still through a whole movie. Ya, like a toddler.

Also- total side not, it was the creepiest movie experience ever. We get there and there were 4 other cars in the parking lot. 10 pm at night. During spring break. And there were 3 employees we saw. So ummm... We were the only customers? Then when we walked out, the front area was dark and empty. No one in sight. Ya, creepy.


So, that is how we are slowly, but surely, becoming toddlers. At this point I am glad we are having another- much rather e a toddler again rather than a teenager!

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The little things, eh?

People are always talking about the little things that make "it" worth it.
Here is my list today:

-Scout likes to annoy Penny. And it is visibly clear and funny. Like the other day Penny was laying in her dog bed, and Scout came over all non-chalantly, and just sat on her head. Thought nothing of it. Till Penny threw a fit. Now Scout does the whole "I'm not touching you" thing and just lays her face as close as possible to Penny. Penny hates it, but can't quite complain. See below.

- I have really good pregnancies. So far. Other than my gall bladder. And my hips. My hips hurt a lot, but there is a plus side- Joe gives me massages a lot. Lately, to better direct him where exactly I need him to massage on my hips, I have taken on referring to my body as land. So, I use phrases such as "inland" or "out to sea". Joe doesn't enjoy it as much- but I find it hilarious.

-Sariah left her camelback at the Children's Museum. And yes, SHE left it. She snuck into my bag and took it out without me knowing. When I got home and realized a few hours later, I was really upset about the idea of replacing it. (Last time we lost a water bottle was during the big flu- and any lost water bottles were thrown away). SO I was really happy when I called and found out they still had it . Being reunited was a blessed moment.

-Going through my phone to delete pictures and realizing Sariah trying to take some as well :) it may be just her forehead, but how could I throw that away?!?

The end.

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LIFE

Because, I haven't written lately and should say SOMETHING.

1. This song makes Sariah dance. It is ADORABLE.
(Also, sadly, she doesn't care for ABBA. The Beetles & Johnny Cash are a go though, along with others).

2. I am in California.

It is glorious. I came home and "surprised" my mom (who basically already knew I was coming, but not totally. It was more of a surprise to her to find out I would be here for a month.) It is so green. And warm. And not very toddler- proof, which is providing for me walking around a lot of following Sariah like a hawk. 

SO gosh darn beautiful. Oh, and flying in? And seeing that AMAZING Ocean and costal line, with green hills? I swear- we haven't seen this green color since July.

3. I get to take Sariah to my favorite park tomorrow. I swear, this park to me was like a castle when I was little. I am excited. I just hope she feels well enough tomorrow to TRULY enjoy it.

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A word on Toddlers

Toddlers are mysterious creatures.

They come out of nowhere.

They are always surprising you, like a Jack-in-the-box.

Somedays it's so hard to live with them.

They teeth and are unconsolable. You have to teach them everything. They get into every little thing like dog food, kitchen cabinets, toilets and dog poop. Everyday items become a constant life threat, like plastic bags and stairs.

They constantly need direction, supervision, nutrition, guidance, love, attention- and are very loud about it when they are lacking in any area.

They grow episodically. They move constantly. And sleep sporadically.

They require so much time and attention that you often get tired before they ever do.

But then there are those days.

No, more like moments.

That make all those tantrums, dirty diapers, crying doctor visits, endless park runs, and continuous messy floors worth it.

It's amazing that after all these things you do for your toddler; that you put up with, struggle, cry, and work through to just get through the day- that something so simple and reverent as singing your baby to sleep, actually works.

That this, dare I say it, moster-like being, is stilled by your voice. Your touch. Your love. And falls asleep.

It's enough to make a parent weep. Enough to make that parents never want to put their child down. Enough to kiss that child over and over to the point of nearly waking them up.

Toddlers are mysterious creatures.

They can make the mighty fall.

The young stop.

The old smile.

The young wish.

Sorry for the quality. All these were taken with my phone.
But look at my little Sherlock! =]

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